Psalm 9:18 For the needy shall not always be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever.

I have one question that is met with silence and blank stares from those who do not believe in Jesus Christ. That question is this: What do you expect? I add no qualifiers, no conditions, and ask that they share only their expectations. Granted I have limited access to a wide sample of the population and that if I asked lofty people I might receive an answer. Someone else will have to give that conversation. My audience is more of the poor sort.

What has life dealt this people that they have not given much thought to their own expectations? It is possible that they expect more of the same but do not hope for more of the same. In this I find a common thread, that hope is dashed by events in this world. Sincere effort does not guarantee success. If at first you don’t succeed try, try again is all but gone from public speech.

Christians have an expectation based on hope which is not performance based. Our hope is in the promises of a God who is true and powerful to meet our expectations, if we base them on those promises.

Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

Philippians 1:20 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.

Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

I expect to continue in the Way.

Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

I think that most people are familiar with the term remission as it relates to cancer. If cancer is in remission the cancer is not gone it is no longer destroying healthy cells. Doctors will change a patient’s treatment, take a new course of action to detect if or when the cancer might again become active.

Is that understanding a fair comparison to the remission of sins? A biblical word definition search will render a different meaning than a worldly one. Biblically it means to set free, to remove the chains of bondage, that sin no longer holds you captive. Biblically it does not mean to destroy those chains. Sin still exists but no longer has a hold on you.

1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

Having sin is not the same as committing sin, just as cancer in remission is still cancer. So in one way cancer and sin can be compared. Let us go further into the comparison and see if more is to be discovered. How about the treatment?

The doctor keeps an eye on the cancer and the Holy Spirit keeps an eye on sin. When the doctor finds cancer is active again, he calls you in for a change in treatment. When the Holy Spirit find sin is active in your life, He calls you in and changes the treatment.

What happens if you ignore your doctor’s advice? What happens when you ignore the Holy Spirits advice? Cancer grows and destroys life. Sin grows and destroys life.

Just because sin isn’t as painful as cancer, do not fool yourself of its destructive ability.